2 To Be Tried Separately In Killing Of Gay Student

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - WEST

December 11, 1998

LARAMIE, Wyo. - The two men accused of killing gay student Matthew Shepard will be tried separately, a judge ruled Thursday. District Judge Jeffrey Donnell gave no reason for the decision regarding Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney. Prosecutors wanted a single trial, claiming two people accused of the same crime should be tried together. Defense attorneys opposed a combined trial but would not say why publicly. Thursday's hearing was closed to the public. Henderson's trial was set for March 22, McKinney's for Aug. 9. The two are accused of beating and robbing Shepard on Oct. 7 and tying him to a fence outside Laramie. The University of Wyoming student died days later. Investigators said he was targeted in part because he was gay.